Question

when he became president of the confederacy, jefferson davis believed that

southern slavery would remain safe under lincoln.
secession of the southern states should be encouraged.
the south should declare war against the union to gain independence.
lincoln would force states that seceded back into the union.

Explanation:

Analyze Davis's perspective on Lincoln

Using the Jefferson Davis Inaugural Address and Secession Justification knowledge points, we analyze Jefferson Davis's beliefs upon assuming the presidency of the Confederacy. Davis argued that the election of Abraham Lincoln and the rise of a purely sectional Republican Party threatened the constitutional rights of Southern states, particularly regarding slavery. He did not believe Southern slavery would remain safe under Lincoln's administration.

Evaluate Davis's view on secession

Using the Secession Justification knowledge point, Davis maintained that secession was a peaceful, legal, and constitutional right of sovereign states. He argued that the Southern states had merely asserted a right to self-government, similar to the American colonists in 1776. Therefore, he believed secession was already a completed, justified act rather than something that merely "should be encouraged" as a future policy.

Assess the prospect of war

Using the Jefferson Davis Inaugural Address knowledge point, Davis expressed a strong desire for peace and hoped to avoid conflict. In his inaugural address on February 18, 1861, he stated that the Confederacy wished to be left alone to pursue its own path. He did not believe the South should proactively declare war against the Union to gain independence, but rather that the South should prepare to defend itself if the North refused to let them go peacefully.

Evaluate Lincoln's potential actions

Using the Secession Justification knowledge point, Davis strongly anticipated that the federal government under Abraham Lincoln would not accept peaceful secession. He believed that Lincoln and the Republican administration would attempt to use military force to coerce the seceded states back into the Union, which is why he emphasized the necessity of preparing the Confederacy for defense and establishing a military force.

Answer:

• Southern slavery would remain safe under Lincoln.
• secession of the Southern states should be encouraged.
• the South should declare war against the Union to gain independence.
• Lincoln would force states that seceded back into the Union. (Correct answer)